Guernsey Friends of Air Search

Newsletter - 2002

News Update

In our last Newsletter I mentioned that I felt that with the addition of the FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) equipment and thus the ability of the aircraft to search during the hours of darkness, there might well be an increase in the number of call-outs. Little did one realise then to what degree this was to happen. Prior to the installation of the FLIR, the aircraft on average was called out 12-15 times a year. After its installation, this seems to have increased over the same period to nearly forty call-outs - more than double the previous. This obviously has put an increased burden on all concerned, from the crew members having many more sleepless nights to the increased drain on funds to cover the extra operations. Nevertheless we are naturally very pleased that we are now able to respond to calls at times when we could not do so previously and are able to get into the search area much earlier than was sometimes possible in the past due to darkness. With time being of crucial importance in most circumstances, this has greatly enhanced our search capability. You will find summaries of all search for the period 1999 to 2002 in the Operations page.

We have continued to try to raise the profile of the service and were greatly helped by the series of features run on Channel Report last November. These covered many aspects of operations and the people involved, and generated much interest by viewers. We have also had a television crew over from France 3, one of the national French channels, who spent four days in Guernsey this summer filming. Their emphasis was on the people who crew the aircraft and who raise the funds as the totally voluntary concept of Channel Islands Air Search is not readily comprehended in France due to that country's very different approach to the provision of search and rescue facilities.

Another way in which we have tried to raise our profile is by inviting various local organisations, businesses and clubs to attend Hangar Evenings. During the course of the visit, normally between one to two hours, we are able in conjunction with crew-members to show visitors over the aircraft explaining its equipment and operation and let them see at first-hand the facilities needed to support it. These evenings have been well received by our visitors who seem to find their time spent at the hangar of great interest and in turn has generated additional support both in the form of offers of help at events as well as in monetary terms. Should anyone feel that their organisation or Social Club might be interested in such a visit, then they are invited to contact one of the committee. These visits are strictly limited but nevertheless, we are pleased to arrange them whenever possible.

I am pleased to say that the Guernsey Friends funded the purchase of new survival suits, lifejackets and homer beacons for the crew as mentioned in the last newsletter and have through various activities been able again to make a very substantial contribution towards the running costs of the service. This has only been possible by the goodwill and support given to Channel Islands Air Search by the people and businesses of the Bailiwick. On behalf of all concerned I would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us in so many various ways.

We would ask if you could assist us further by completing the questionnaire enclosed with this mail-out as this will help us not only update our database but also enable us to optimise our efforts in supporting the organisation.

Events

The Friends have been active at a number of events during the year. We attended the Round Table Christmas Fayre at Beau Sejour last year. We will be present again at this year's Christmas Fayre at the Peninsula Hotel on Sunday 24^thNovember where once again we will have our Christmas cards and goods on sale. It is open between 10.00am and 4.00pm. We hope to be showing some video footage there.

Our most successful event in 2002 was again our Open Garden in conjunction with Floral Guernsey who as in previous years have been very supportive. This was held on 9^thJune at the lovely garden of Jennifer Monachan, featured earlier in the year in the BBC2 Flying Gardener series. The afternoon proved to be very successful which was something of a relief as it had rained all morning and only stopped shortly after the gates opened. Over 500 people attended despite the earlier inclement weather and we were honoured with the presence of our patron, His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Foley, who spent quite sometime enjoying a tour of the garden, meeting visitors and were then entertained to tea by Mrs Monachan. The sun shone and with the Tree-O musicians playing in the cloisters, it proved to be a very pleasant and peaceful afternoon despite the number of people present. We managed to raise over £1200 in entrance takings and teas at this event which made a very useful contribution to the funds. We are most grateful to Jennifer Monachan for allowing us to use her garden and also to all the ladies from the Women's Institute, Bon Ami Club and Koinonia Friendship and others who donated cakes and to everyone else who assisted with various tasks.

Following the Floral Guernsey trail we took a stand again at the 2002 Show in Cambridge Park. Whilst we did this in 2001 following the loss of the West Show due to the foot-and-mouth restrictions, we decided that it had proved so successful we would do it again this year. It proved to be a good decision and our gross takings were nearly £800. We also had the opportunity to talk to many people about the service. We did our best to maintain the spirit of the Show and we very pleased to be awarded Bronze Award in the Charities Class for our floral endeavours. Our thanks go out to Nigel Clarke at Queux Patio Plants for his help in this area.

The other major event we attended for two days was the West Show which again gave us the opportunity to talk to many people and sell some of our items. Our caravan was manned at the North Regatta where our Islander, Air Search One, made a flypast and we had our stand on the front at the Harbour Carnival as usual.

Subscriptions

We have had many Friends renew their subscriptions for 2002 which we much appreciate and have also welcomed a number of new Life Members (£100 subscription). Despite this, our records show there are still quite a number of people who have supported us in the past and who to date do not seem to have renewed their membership. Many regular subscriptions are by Standing Order and we enclose a form for this in case you currently pay by cheque and would like to change to this method of payment. The annual minimum subscription remains at £10. Subscriptions or Standing Order forms should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, Mike Quarrington at either the address below or in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.

Mike Quarrington, Champ du Pretre, Les Traudes, St. Martin GY4 6LR

Website

We are pleased to announce that the Channel Islands Air Search website is due for official launch in November. The final touches are now being put to it and we hope shortly to have a final launch date. The site will be found at:

www.ci-airsearch.com

It will give a whole host of information about the service, its history, operation and contact details for people involved plus many other features. Our grateful thanks go to Ivor Bisson for tireless work in building the site and many hours of research and dedication that he has put into it. We are all delighted with the results we have seen and trust you will share our sentiments when visiting it. It will hopefully make it much easier for you to contact us and keep you up-to-date with what is happening.

Draw Tickets

Enclosed with this Newsletter are 10 prize draw tickets which we would be grateful if you are able to sell to aid funds. Counterfoils and payments should be returned to the address below to arrive no later than Wednesday 6 November. The annual draw, like subscriptions, represents an important regular source of funds for the service. Please return your tickets to the Treasurer, Mike Quarrington (see Subscriptions for details).

Items for Sale

We will be taking the following items to the Christmas Fayre so if you are looking for Christmas presents, this could be a good opportunity to get something just that little bit different. If you cannot get to the Fayre and would like to order direct or require more information, then please call Reg Noble. We also have available a few copy prints of a lovely painting of St. Peter Port Harbour donated to the Friends by local artist Sheila Noble at only £10 each.

The following is list of goods currently available.

Sweat Shirts	£16.00
Polo Shirts	£ 9.00
Baseball-caps	£ 6.50
Ties (new style)	£ 8.00
Ties (old style)	£ 5.00
Islander Broaches/Tie-pins	£ 5.00
Air Search Teddies	£ 6.00
Burgees	£ 9.00
Prints by Sheila Noble	£10.00

Christmas Cards

Once again we have our Christmas cards on sale. There are two designs, one featuring a photograph of the Air Search Islander. Lions Pride, in flight with a backdrop of the south coast and the other being a copy of a print of Bordeaux Harbour in the snow donated to us by the artist Sheila Noble. Cards are available either blank inside to allow for a personalised greeting, or already printed with a greeting. For more details, please contact Reg Noble or visit our stand at the Round Table Christmas Fayre.

Supporters

The Committee of the Guernsey Friends would like to thank everyone who have supported the organisation in one way or another over the last year. This support takes many different forms but is essential for the on-going provision of the service. Sadly as we all know few things go down in price and operating an aircraft is certainly not one of them. On top of the standard operating costs of keeping the aircraft flying there are regular maintenance costs to be borne.

Occasionally there are major outlays to make when we normally instigate a special appeal. We were advised at our last Committee Meeting that the aircraft would need new engines in about 18 months time and these would have a cost in the region of £75,000. We are therefore planning to launch a special appeal to raise funds for this particular requirement and if anyone would like to become involved in this appeal, or even offer to organise it, then please contact either the President or Ian Larby, Secretary to the Trustees.

However, if you feel you can help in any way, do please contact us. Even if it is only an hour or two a year - every extra bit of help counts and is much appreciated by our already limited human resources.